Ligature for reed instruments



Patented Apr. 21, 1931 WALTER GEMEINHARDT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIGATURE FOR REED INSTRUMENTS Application filed May 10,

This invention relates to improvements in wind musical instruments of the reed type and more particularly to the ligature for clamping the removable reed on the mouth piece of the instrument.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a ligature for the mouth piece of a wind musical instrument in which a uniform clamping pressure may be exerted on the reed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a ligature for the mouth piece of a wind musical instrument having a resilient cushion or spacing element interposed between the reed and the said ligature permitting uniform clamping pressure across and throughout the length of that portion of the reed held by said ligature.

To enable others skilled in the art to more fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification in which Fig. 1 is a side view showing the mouth piece and ligature for clamping the reed.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. V

Heretofore it has been the practice to clamp the reed on the lay of the mouth piece of a wind musical instrument by means of a split ligature directly engaging the top surface of the said reed. It has been found that by reason of the irregularity of the curved top surface of the reed and the top curvature of the ligature, a uniform binding, clamping pressure was not had. It will be understood that the skilled musician selects from a large number of reeds those which he regards as most suitable for the particular month piece, the thickness, flexibility and taper of the reed in addition to the grade or grain of the reed being of primary importance. It has been discovered however, that while the reeds selected by the musician were satisfactory for the purpose, nevertheless fault was to be found when positioned on the lay of the mouth piece, due to the irregular clamping or binding of the ligature. To overcome the 1929. Serial No. 362,066.

above difliculty and to illustrate and describe the construction, method or manner in which it is obviated, reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which, 5 designates in its entirety the removable mouth piece of a wind musical instrument, said mouth piece having the usual tapered wall 6 and entrance opening 7. On the top, flat lay 8 of the mouth piece is positioned the reed 9 which tapers as at 10 to the thin edge 11 extending to the entrance opening. The ligature 12 is split as at 13 and provided with the usual, ears or eyes 14, 15 the former having threaded bores for the reception of the binding, screws 16 having the wings 17 whereby said screws may tighten the ligature.

It will be noted that curved top portion 18 of the ligature is substantially of the same curvature as the top surface of the reed on which it is to produce a binding and clamping of the said reed. In order that this clamping and binding effect may be uniform across the top surface of the reed notwithstanding any irregularity either in the reed itself or the inner surface of the ligature, I provide a curvilinear cushion or spacing element 19 preferably of cork, felt, soft rubber or any other equivalent material which may be glued, or cemented to the inner surface of the ligature. The curvature or width of the cushion or spacing element should be substantially that of the reed against which it is to bind or clamp and the length of the said cushion or spacing element should be substantially the same as the length of the ligature.

It will thus be seen that not only is the reed held by a uniform clamping or binding pressure considered transversely, but also longitudinally throughout that portion engaged by the ligature.

While I have shown and described my invention with some degree of particularly, it will be realized that other modifications and changes may be resorted to under special conditions. I therefore do not wish to be limited and restricted to the exact details shown and described but reserve the right to make such changes and modifications as may fairly fall Within the scope of the subject matter now being claimed. 7 7

Having shown and described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The combination of a mouth piece for musical wind instruments having a lay, a split ligature having an offsetportion for receiving and clamping a reed on said lay, a cork cushion fastened to the inner, top surface of the off-set portion of the ligature, said cushion being substantially of the same Width and curvature as the top surface of the reed and of a length substantially the length of the ligature.

In testimony whereof he has afi'ixed his signature. a i V WALTER GEMEINHA-RDT; 

